Our Path of Duty

This entry is part of my general conference application series.

Our Path of Duty, by Bishop Keith B. McMullin
Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric


Before I met my wife, my best friend was my roommate. We both came from Chicago to attend school together, we donated plasma together, we worked at the same place together. . . Everything was hunky-dory.

After I met the most beautiful woman in the world (my wife, of course), we went on double-dates with my roommate and his dates, but as I spent more and more time with my girlfriend, something happened to my friendship. What was once conversations full of inside jokes and all-around comradery became the silent treatment. It seemed nothing could be done to reconcile the confusing change.

My experience is nowhere close to the potentially awkward situation outlined by Bishop McMullin; the account of the holocaust survivor who was confronted by a camp prison guard who cited conversion and asked for forgiveness. In her account, she stated that as he stood there with outstretched hand, the decision of what to do was "the most difficult thing I had ever had to do."

I loved the resultant feelings she described after praying for help and taking his hand:

Woodenly, mechanically, I thrust my hand into the one stretched out to me. As I did, an incredible thing took place. The current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, sprang into our joined hands. And then this healing warmth seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes.
‘I forgive you, brother!’ I cried. ‘With all my heart.’
For a long moment we grasped each other’s hands, the former guard and the former prisoner. I had never known God’s love so intensely, as I did then.

As I read that she had never known God's love so intensely, I remembered the situation that I described between myself and my roommate.

Here's the rest of the story:

Being able to bear the discomfort and silence no longer, I tenderly approached him and said that I wasn't sure what I had done to upset him, but that I desperately wanted to be friends again—hoping against hope to see his crinkly smile again.

Unfortunately, the forgiveness issued in Bishop McMullin's story was not extended to me. My friend simply turned and walked away from me, and I don't think he ever said anything else to me again.

With my requested reconciliation denied, I longed to feel the intensity of God's love flow through me. While I still feel haunted by the whole shunted roommate situation, I'm left to wonder if I've ever denied forgiveness from someone who sought it from me.

I hope that I can better walk my "path of duty," including by forgiving and asking forgiveness of others. In addition, I want to live so that I don't offend others—including best friends—to the point where they don't feel comfortable returning to friendship with me again.

Now, I realize that some readers may say, "losing one friend while gaining an eternal friend (wife) is an acceptable loss." This may be true, but imagine the happiness that could have been experienced to share such a happy union with a long-time friend.

Handmaids

This entry is part of my general conference application series.

“And upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out My Spirit”, by Julie B. Beck
Relief Society General President


Even though Sister Beck's address seems primarily addressed to the women of the church, I think of her counsel often. I'll let you determine the scenario when I'm reminded of her words; here is the quote:

Mothers [and fathers] can feel help from the Spirit even when tired, noisy children are clamoring for attention, but they can be distanced from the Spirit if they lose their temper with children.

I'll give a hint: I'm trying harder to not lose my temper with my sweet children.

So, that's what I've been reminded of since I first heard her talk. However, a different part stood out to me on the most recent reading.

While working with some full-time missionaries recently, we were discussing family traditions with fireworks. When the subject of the legality of certain types arose, one said, in essence, that the law could just be broken.

"What of exact obedience?" I asked.

"That's just a mission thing," was the I'm-hoping-he-was-joking reply.

I wondered about my obedience level later—to both eternal laws as well as laws of the land. I wanted to recommit to exact obedience and the associated freedoms.

This interchange and introspection came to mind when I reviewed Sister Beck's definition of success:

We are doing well when we develop attributes of Christ and strive to obey His gospel with exactness. We are doing well when we seek to improve ourselves and do our best. . . When we have done our very best, we may still experience disappointments, but we will not be disappointed in ourselves. (emphasis mine)

I want to be more Christ-like, at minimum by being patient (not losing my temper). I also want to live the gospel with exactness.

As I review my actions at each day's end, I want to have fewer and fewer shudders as I recount the times I disappointed myself.

I want to do well and do my very best!

The Power of the Priesthood

This entry is part of my general conference application series.

The Power of the Priesthood, by President Boyd K. Packer
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles


Do you like salt? I've heard that salt is amazing for many reasons, including: it can make anything taste better (granted that you use the right amount), and it aids in healing (it might sting, but it does heal).


Despite the benefits of salt, many health experts advise to limit salt consumption because of the harmful effects on the heart if a diet includes too much salt.

In summary, a little—or the right amount of—salt is good; too much is bad. Remember this as you recall the Sermon on the Mount: "Ye are the salt of the earth" (Matt 5:13).

In a recent church meeting, I heard someone use this reference (and others) to allude to the fact the the Lord's covenant people will be relatively few in number—despite the gospel message being spread far and wide. I was reminded of this as I reviewed President Packer's comments that:

We now number nearly 14 million members. Even so, we are a tiny fraction when compared to the billions of people on earth. But we are who we are, and we know what we know, and we are to go forth and preach the gospel.

Despite the proper salting of the earth, President Packer reminded that:

We can and in due time certainly will influence all of humanity. It will be known who we are and why we are.

Considering the fewness of our numbers may add emphasis to the observation that "it has never been easy to live the gospel of Jesus Christ." Nevertheless, "we have very positive feelings about what lies ahead."

Considering the doom-and-gloom state of events (as portrayed in nightly newscasts), how can we feel positive? After a meaningful explanation, the summary is given:

The power of the priesthood [is] given to the Church to protect us and guide us. And because we have that, we have no fear of the future.

I'm grateful for the authority and power of the priesthood and the blessings that are available to me, to my family, and to the world!

Welcome to Conference

This entry is part of my general conference application series.

Welcome to Conference, by President Thomas S. Monson



Today is Independence Day (4th of July). As we contemplated how we would celebrate the birth of our nation, I was, at first, concerned because it didn't seem that there was much that we could do. In striving to keep the Sabbath day holy (see Exodus 20:8), we wanted to stay away from BBQs and lakeside festivities. However, my concern turned to gratitude; I wish that more major holidays fell on Sundays because it enabled us to cut to the heart of the celebration and focus on the real reasons for the holiday: freedoms and blessings.

As I think of the many freedoms that we enjoy, I cannot help but realize that this grand suite of freedoms provided the perfect ground for the Restoration of the Gospel. Where else could the fulness of the gospel come forth?

In his opening remarks to general conference, President Monson reminded that it was "180 years since the Church was organized." Moments ago, my wife and I had a mathematical exercise where we determined just how old our nation is (234 years), and when it will be 250 years old (2026, btw). Obviously this is older than any of us are, but it's striking at how young—or recent, if you prefer—the Church and nation are.

While I'm sure that many—if not all—Church members have contemplated on the correlation of Independence and the Restoration (which sounds almost contradictory: correlation and independence), I'm grateful for the environment of freedoms that enabled the Restoration and the unfolding of many additional truths (e.g. advancements in science, technology, industry, society, and medicine).

I thought of the blessings that our Independence provided as we sang "My Country, 'Tis of Thee," and "America the Beautiful" at church this morning. This is because of lyrics speaking of "templed hills," and extolling the merits of "heroes proved in liberating strife,"and ending in the Lord purifying us all "till all success be nobleness, and ev'ry gain divine."

As I parse this most recent general conference in hopes of improving my life and more fully being in line with what the Lord expects of me and who He wants me to be, I hope I can remember that the very life I live now is the result of divine help in preparation for grander things, even the Restoration of the Gospel.

June Pictures

We've added pictures from our grand Texas adventures (click here).